CHOOSING THE RIGHT

ROOFING MATERIAL

Your Home's Most Important Section

Your roof is one of the most essential parts of your home. It not only protects what is likely your greatest investment and personal belongings, but it also protects the treasures you hold most dear: your family. With so much trust placed in this architectural detail, it is important that you know what material your roof is made of and whether or not it is up for the job.

Asphalt shingles are by far the most commonly used residential roofing material in the US. It boasts many desirable attributes, such as being lightweight, less costly, and easy to install. Properly installed and maintained asphalt shingles can last from 20 to 25 years, which is a shorter lifespan than other materials. Because it is so common, it does not add greatly to a home’s value unless it is newly installed.

Decorative Roofing Materials

Metal roof material is available in both shingle form and sheet form and is one of the longest lasting materials installed on roofs today. With a lifetime of up to 75 to 100 years, this initially expensive option pays for itself over time and adds significant value to a home. These roofs are also recyclable and can help property owners reduce their heating and cooling costs because they have high solar reflectance.

Clay and concrete tiles make a beautiful statement on practically any roof. With a lifetime of up to 50 years or more, many homeowners opt for this roof material because of its connection to Mediterranean, Spanish, and Mission style homes. The cost for this type of material may be greater than other options, but homeowners can often recoup the cost due to the extra value they add to the home’s architectural look.

Wooden shingles were used for hundreds of years in many parts of the world and still remain popular in certain areas today. They are both costly and can only last from 25 to 30 years, so many homeowners who choose this style do so mostly for its aesthetics. How a home’s value is affected when equipped with wood roofing shingles depends greatly on the geographic area where it is located.